The Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance will propose that Parliament examine a draft law declaring the construction of the 400 kV Strășeni–Gutinaș overhead power line and the modernization of the 330 kV Strășeni substation to be projects of national public utility, TRIBUNA reports.

The draft law provides for exemptions from certain general and specific regulations to accelerate the administrative procedures required for land expropriation and the implementation of this project of national importance.

In particular, the procedures for issuing permits will be expedited, a special expropriation procedure will be applied, and the issuance of permits for locating infrastructure within public road zones will be accelerated.

The document also explicitly regulates the procedures for timber harvesting and tree clearing required to carry out the project. Construction work in areas containing archaeological heritage will only be permitted after the completion of the archaeological clearance procedure.

The State Enterprise Institute for Territorial Planning (IPOT) will initiate the process of establishing real estate properties along the entire route of the power line. Construction work will be carried out based on feasibility studies.

Compensation for losses resulting from the expropriation of land required for the power line and substation modernization will be calculated at market value. However, the compensation awarded must not be lower than the normative value calculated according to the applicable reference price.

The construction of the 400 kV Strășeni–Gutinaș overhead power line and the modernization of the 330 kV Strășeni substation will contribute to stabilizing and improving the interconnection of electricity transmission and supply systems in Southeastern Europe and the Black Sea region.

The project will also facilitate the integration of the Republic of Moldova’s electricity grid into the European Union’s electricity market.

The power line will extend approximately 70 kilometres across Moldovan territory, passing through 25 localities in the districts of Strășeni, Călărași, Nisporeni, and Hîncești.

The completion of construction works is scheduled for 2032.

In 2025, the United States Government announced its commitment to allocate USD 130 million to finance the construction of the 400 kV Strășeni–Gutinaș overhead power line.

The technical details, cost structure, and specific project components to be covered by this funding will be determined during negotiations and the signing of the financing agreement.